BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 413
                                                        By: Brown
                                             Economic Development
                                                         03-22-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Members of volunteer fire departments put their lives at risk
without any sort of guaranteed compensation insurance.  Without
this insurance, volunteer fire fighters are not ensured sufficient
care if injured in the course of duty.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 413 authorizes certain emergency service
organizations to provide workers' compensation insurance to
volunteer members who participate in normal functions of the
organization.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 406B, Labor Code, by adding Section
406.097, as follows:

     Sec.  406.097.  VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICE MEMBERS AND
     PERSONNEL.  (a) Authorizes an emergency service organization
     which is not a political subdivision or which is separate from
     any political subdivision to elect to obtain workers'
     compensation insurance for its named volunteer members who
     participate in normal functions of the organization.  Entitles
     a person covered under this subsection to full medical
     benefits and minimum compensation payments under the law.
     
     (b) Defines "emergency service organization," "volunteer
       members," "normal functions," and "political subdivision."
       
       SECTION 2.   Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.